Rev. Dr. Jonathan "Pastah J" Brooks

Jonathan Brooks is a lifelong resident of Chicago, IL and currently serves as Lead Pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church and the Chief Inspiration Officer for Lawndale Christian Ministries which includes Lawndale Christian Health Center, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation and Lawndale Christian Legal Center.

Pastah J, as he is affectionately called, is a sought-after speaker, writer, artist, organizer and community developer. He has contributed to numerous blogs, articles and books and is the author of the book Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods published by Intervarsity Press.

Jonathan has a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University, Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, as well as a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Northern Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. He is married to Micheál Newman-Brooks, has two beautiful children and lives in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago.